Operating mechanism for vending machines



Oct. 7,` 1952 H. G. WELLS OPERATING MCHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 6, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. G. WELLS OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Oct. 7, 1952 Filed Aug. e, 1948 m mm lilLn Rv/ -..www

Oct. 7, 1952 H. G. WELLS OPERATING MEcHANIsM FOR VENDING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 6, 1948 H. G. WELLS 2,613,122

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 6. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 www@ Patented Oct. 7, 1952 OPERATING MECHANISM yrola vermine.

MACHINES t Homer G. Wells, Memphis, Tenn.

Application August 6, 1948, Serial'No. 42,834

This invention lrelates tooperating mechanisms ior vending machines, and is 'particularly adapted for use in connection With vending machines designed for* the sa'lefoi kmerchandise such as packaged cigarettes, candy or the like. f

Vending machines have been heretofore known which have incorporated a plurality of merchandise storage chutes in which each chute is ine dependently operated and upon exhaustion of the merchandise contained in* a single chute has required replenishment in -order to continue the .sale of that merchandise. r;

The principal Vobject of the present invention is to provide a vending machine with a plurality or" merchandise vstorage chutes in which the merchandise Vof the 'nrst chute is discharged through `operation of the nfrachine and the merchandise of the remaining chute or chutes is retained therein and vpre-vented fromv discharge until aft-er the exhaustion of the merchandise within the `iirst chut-e. Y n

A further object of the invention is t illicovide a vending machine with an operating mechanism which includes merchandise receiving and discharging means and merchandise supporting means whereby the merchandise of one column or chute `is prevented from discharge until the exhaustion vof themerchandise in 'another chute or column by the merchandise receiving and dischargingr means; v

A further object of the invention is to provide in a vending machine, a merchandise discharging slide which is 'adapted to receive `merchandise from a single column or chute thereof and which inclu-des stop means 'adapted to position the merchandise receiving means beneath a chute vor column containing merchandise.

A further object of the invention iswto provide lcoin receiving means through which la suitable coin is introduced Vand -positioned to serve as an abutment for the movement of a merchandise receiving and discharging rslide 'and which mechanism includes `means coupling the coin receiving means to the vmerchandise slide for lreturn movement thereof.

A further object oi the 'invention 'is to provide a resilient spring coupling [between vsaid members.

A further object of the 'invention is to provide such a spring coupling whichis vdimensioned to permit initial separation of the members at the beginning of return movement to free *an interposed coin from any restraint againstfits gravity discharge.

And a further object ci the invention is to 7 Claims. (Cl. 312-67) generally improve the designemciency and op1 eration of operating mechanisms 'for vending "machimes. j

The means by which the `foregoing and other objects of the present invention are 'accomplished and the manner of `their accomplishment 'will readily be understood from the following specin iication upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is aside elevational View "of the vending machine operating mechanism of the present invention, a suitable 'casing being shown thereon in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a'topplan view of the operating mechn anism of Fig. l.

`Fig. 3 is a sectionalside elevationtaken substantially on the center line oi `the operating mechanism. v j

Fig.. 4 `is a fragmentary sectional 'plan view on an enlarged scale, taken as on the line IV-IV oi Figs. l and 3, and illustrating the position ci the merchandise discharging slide after exhaus tion of the merchandise from the rst chute.

r Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View lon a further enlarged scale taken von the line V-V of Fig. '2.

Fig. v6 is va fragmentary sectional 'view taken 'on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5. f

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation on the scale of Fig. 4, taken on the line VII- VII of Fig. 2. v

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational 'View of the merchandise discharging slide and related parts of the merchandise chutes in the position of Fig.

f fi; and

' 9 is an enlarged yfragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of the mechanism shov'- ing the coin release. f I

Referring now to 'the `drawings in which the various partsolf the invention are indicated by numerals: l

The present invention vis designed as a unitary construction adapted for mounting in a suitable casing of such shape as is desired. As 4indicated in dotted lines on Figs. `l and 3, the casing may be in the form of a camel or -other ani-mal shape, although it is not intended to limit the invention to the shape'ef the casing.

The operating mechanism is primarily mounted upon a `slideway -|l which is preferably supported intermediate its length by vertically disposed supportsv i3, I.` The lower ends of the supports are preferably seated 'upon a suitable base I 1.

Mounted upon and spaced above the fe-lidew-ay orrlcs II are a plurality of merchandise containing chutes I9, the present illustration showing the use of two such chutes, although as will become apparent hereinafter, additional chutes may be added without departing herefrom. The chutes I9 are preferably attached and supported by straps 20 and are provided with a suitable cover formed of upright side walls 2 I, 22, front wall 23 and rear wall 24, and designed to house the vertically disposed chutes. The chutes are preferably separated as by a suitable partition 25 forming the rear wall of the forward chute illustrated. Slideway II is provided with inwardly facing longitudinally extending channel members 21 which are adapted to slidably receive and guide the slides of the operating mechanism. Slidably mounted on the slidewayk II is an operating slide 29 vpreferably having at its lower edge outwardly extending lugs 29A which are slidably engaged within the channel members 21.

The slideway I I at its'forward end is provided with an abutment 3I positioned to limit the forward movement of the operating slide 29 and at its rear end the slideway II is provided with a rear block 33. A merchandise receiving and discharging conveyor slide 35 is slidably mounted on the slideway II rearward of the operating slide 29 and is preferably provided with lugs similar to lugs 23A, and slidably engaging the channels 21 in a similar manner. The main body of the conveyor slide 35 is preferably of a thickness substantially equal to or slightlyy in excess of the thickness of a package of the merchandise to be vended by the machine, and has animperforate, horizontal upper face 36. It will be noted that the lower end of the chutes I9 are spaced above the slideway II a distance to permit the sliding passage of the slide 35 therebeneath.

At its forward end the conveyor slide 35 is provided with a forwardly projecting tongue 31 and at its rear end is provided with a vertically disposed flange 39. Adjacent and forward of the flange 39 the slide 35 is provided with an aperture extending through the slide from top to bottom and of a size to receive a merchandise package from one of the chutes I9, as hereinafter described, said aperture forming with the underlying slideway a pocket for such deposited package.

The operating slide 29 is provided with a Vertically disposed, transverse, coin-receiving slot 43 and is provided with a longitudinally extending aperture 45, the aperture 45 being positioned substantially centrally of the slide for the entry of the tongue 31 therein and being of a size to receive and permit the extension of the tongue therethrough. Supported from the abutment 3|, as by support 41, is a coin chute 49, the upper end of which is adapted to receive coins deposited in the mechanism for the operation thereof, and the lower end of which is positioned to overlie the coin slot 43 when the operating slide 29 is in normal forward position against the abutment 3|.

Mounted on and supported from the rear block 33, as by supports 5I is a suitable lever 53, shown in the present instance in the approximate form of a tail for the camel shaped casing, although it will be understood that the precise form of the lever forms no part of the invention. It will be seen that the lever 53 is pivoted to the supports 5I by a suitable pivot 55. Forwardly the lever is provided with a projection 51 to which is pivotally secured one end of a link 59, the opposite end of which is pivoted to an arm 6I intermediate the length ofthe arm. The arm 5I is pivoted at its upper end to the side wall 22 and extends downwardly therefrom at a slight angle of inclination from the vertical. A second link 63 is pivoted at one end to the lower end of the arm 6l and at its opposite end is pivotally secured to the operating slide 29.

Adjacent its rear edge, the side wall 22 is pref erably provided with a stop member 65 which is positioned and adapted to limit the rearward arcuate movement of the arm 6I during operation of the device. Rear supports 5I are also preferably provided with a stop 61 positioned to be engaged by the forward portion of the lever 53 and to effect limitation of the arcuate movement of the lever 53.

As illustrated, the rear wall 24 of the chutes I9 is provided with an aperture 69 to permit the passage of the flange 39 therethrough and if additional chutes are to be added the rear wall of each chute except the forward chute should be provided with a similar aperture. A return spring 1I is secured at one end preferably to the projection 51of the lever 53 and at its opposite end to the side `wall 22, the return spring 1I being adapted to return the lever 53 to its normal position after operation, thereby reversing the movement of the links and arms, effecting return of the operating slide 29 to its initial normal position.

The conveyor slide 35 is coupled to the operating slide 29 by an elongated spring 13 to effect return movement of the conveyor slide 35 responsive to the return movement of the operating slide 29. Preferably the spring 13 is of a length such that it is out of tension when the slides 29 and 35 are in the operating position shown in Fig. 3, so that a slight initial return movement of the operating slide 29 is required to bring the coupling spring 13 into tension and to thereby begin the return movement of the conveyor slide 35, this delay permitting a slight separation of the slides at the beginning of the return movement.

Rearwardly of the rear chute Wall 24 the slideway II is provided with a discharge opening 15 for the receipt of merchandise conveyed by the slide 35 and gravity discharge thereof, and preferably extending downwardly from the discharge opening 15 is a discharge chute 11, below which may be positioned a suitable receptacle, not shown, for the receipt of objects discharged by gravity therefrom.

It will be seen that the main body of the conveyor slide 35 is provided with the imperforate upper face 36 which is adapted to underlie and to support merchandise contained in the chutes, preventing gravity urged movement of these objects.

In the operation of the device, merchandise, such as the cigarette packages 19, is stacked in the chutes I9 and the chutes being open at the bottom, the packages are ready for free discharge by gravity therefrom. In normal position, with both of the chutes loaded, the flange 39 of the slide 35 passes through the aperture 69 into contact with the rear edges of the merchandise in the rear chute I9, as is best illustrated in Fig. 1. In order to prevent possible damage to the packaged merchandise the flange 39 is preferably provided with a cushion BI formed of sponge rubber or other suitable or similar material. When the slide 35 is positioned with the flange 39, or its cushion in contact with the rear edge of the package 19, the package receving aperture 4I is positioned beneath the rear chute and :the lower package 1.9 is enabled to' drop by gravity intofthe aperture 4|.and torest :upon the slideway .I l., the `dange '39 being .so positioned and `.the `aperture f4.1 :being so dimensioned that the .lower package drops Ajust before the. cushion y8| moves intomerchandise engagingposition. The packages 4in lthe .forward chute rest upon the :imperforate upper `face 36 of lthe conveyor slide 35 and are prevented therebyfrom .gravity discharge from `the chute. l f

.In 'normal position the operating slide 2id `is yielding-,1y .held in contact with the :abutment 3l by the action of return vspring ll and through the vcoupling :spring 73 the slide 35 is held witlfi the liange 39 'in .engagement with the packaged merchandise. When .in this `position the coin sl'ot '43 is positioned below .the lower Aend of the coin chute '4B to receive therefrom coins passing through the coin chute. It will be .seen that 1in the :absence of a Vcoin :in the coin slot t3 operation of the operating slide 29 by the lever .and links will be ineffective to .accomplish'movement of the conveyor Vslide 35 as the tongue Slwill pass through the aperture 4.5 in the operating slide 29 and 'the stops d5 and Si! will prevent excess travel of the lever 53 and arm 6I so yas to .prevent undesired movement of the .slide 35. When, however, a coin 82 is deposited inthe coin `chute 49 and passes therethrough into the ycoin slot di, 'the coin is held in vertical position by the coin slot, the lower edge of the coin resting upon the slideway l l. This coin 'S2 is thus adapted vto close off the aperture 45 and to provide an operating abutment adapted to engage the forward end of the tongue 3'! to effect .desired movement of the conveyor slide 35. When the coin has been thus positioned in the coin slot 43, outward movement ofthe lever 53 effects sliding of the operating slide 29, brings the coin into engagement with the forward end of the tongue 3l and moves the slide 35, and the package 713 contained inthe aperture lil is moved .along the slideway over the discharge opening and discharges bygravity into the discharge chute Tl. lt will be :seen that the rear end of the slide is then brought into engagement with the rear block 3.3i .preventing accidental overtravel of ythe `merchandise discharging slide. While the slide 35 is `being moved to merchandise discharge, the remaining merchandise is retained in the chutes :i9 by 'the imperforate face 36 of the slide 35.-

When the slides have been moved suiliciently to accomplish discharge of merchandise, as just described, it is necessary that the coin 82 in the f lcoin slot 53 `should be removed therefrom so as to prevent repeated operation of the mechanism through the medium of a single coin. For this purpose the slideway VIl is provided with a coin discharge aperture 83 which preferably .communicates with a passageway 85 leading downward through the forward support I3 into a suitable receptacle 81 preferably formed vin the base. I1.. It will be seen that when the coin 82 is moved over the opening 83 it, if unrestrained, will fall by gravity therethrough into the coin passage and will thereby interrupt the operating engagement of the forward end of the tongue 37.

It will be Ynoted from Fig. 3 that the length of .movement of the operating slide 29 is such as to position the coin slot '43 and the coin contained therein slightly to the rear of the center of the coin passage 85, although over the rear `lip of the mouth of the coin aperture 83. Thisprovision is made as the operating engagement of the coin against the 'forward yend of the tongue 37 under the :operation .of the lever 53 is such .as to hold the 'coin vbetween -the end of the tongue and the .edges .of the `coin slot '43, preventing gravity discharge .of the `coin therefrom. When, however, the lever is released, the return spring li acting on the lever L53 begins the .reverse return movement of the operating slide 2S, and in the manner already described, a 'slight separation of the parts occurs before the coupling spring 'i3 is brought into tension to begin the return movement .of thexslide 35,-such separation of the parts being .sufficient to completely ,release the coin and to insure its gravity. discharge from the coin slot 43.

The return movement of the operating slide 29 moves the slide forwardly into engagement with the abutment 3l and. accomplishes through the ceupling .spring T3 vforward .movement of the slide 35 until the flange Si! is brought into contact with the merchandise contained in thev rear chntell..

The :operation of the mechanism is repeated with each coin insertion and the forward movement `of the slide 35 arrested by the engagement of thel flange 39 against the chute contained merchandise so long Aas the merchandise .supply is notfexh'austed. When the supply of merchandise fcontained in the chute is exhausted the limitation effected by the engagement between such merchandise and the flange 39 is removed and the slide 35 on subsequent return movement moves forwardly until the flange 39 is in conrtact with the partition 25 (or if there is an intermediate chute, with the merchandise therein) and merchandise receiving aperture il is brought beneath the chute to receive by gravity successive packages 'from the chute.

It is believed apparent that if additional merchandise chutes are desired they may readily be added with -a slight change in the proportion of the parts `and the opera-tion thereof, in accordm ance with the foregoing description, may be readily` accomplished.

Preferably the coin chute S9 is provided with a suitable coin detector 89, the details of which form no part of this invention, but which is pro vided -to insure that only genuine coins may pass through the coin chuteliQ into the coin slot i3. The coin passage 85 is preferably provided at its'lower end with a window 9i through which coins inserted into the machine may be viewed. In vorder to retain the vcoin in position behind the window 9| a coin holder 53 is preferably secured in suitable manner, as by a screw, within the .forward support i3, which .is suitably slotted adjacent its lower end for that purpose. The coin holder 93 is preferably a fiexibie member having an intermediate portion S5 which is rearwardly offset from the upper portion of the holder, and a lower portion 95 attached to the intermediate portion and projecting forwardly therefrom to extend into the coin passage 35 adjacent `and below window Si .and being adapted tof-receive `coins thereon and to effect support thereof. Release of the coins from the coin .holder :93 is edected through the medium of a rod 97, the `lower end of which has a laterally projecting hook vportion lying in the space ben tween the intermediate portion 95 and the support i3., the upper end of the rod 91 being pivoted to. an arm 98., the arm 98 being pivoted to the side wall 22; The .forward end of the arm 93 is coupled .to the operating slide 29 by a. link 99.

It will ybe `seen that lupon operation of the slide 29 by the lever 53, the link 99 will cause upward movement of the arm 98, effecting upward movement of the rod 91, moving the laterally projecting hook portion thereof into engagement with the main portion of the coin holder 93, forcing that member rearwardly and moving the forwardly turned portion 96 out of the coin passage 85, thereby freeing the coin therein for gravity discharge into the coin receptacle 81.

I claim: i

1. Operating mechanism for a vending machine, which comprises: a plurality of vertically disposed chutes adapted to receive merchandise packages and having open bottoms for gravity discharge of said merchandise packages therefrom, said chutes being positioned in alinement, a slideway longitudinally alined with said chute alinement spaced below said chutes and longitudinally extending oppositely beyond said chutes. a conveyor slide mounted on said slideway for sliding movement longitudinally of said slideway beneath said chutes, said conveyor slide having a merchandise supporting upper face and a merchandise receiving aperture, said conveyor slide having a vertical flange projecting upwardly from one end thereof, said aperture lying adjacent said flange and between said flange and said face, said slideway having a discharge opening therethrough positioned in the slideway extension adjacent said flange and aperture beyond said chutes, means for moving said slide longitudinally along said slideway in one direction to position said aperture over said discharge opening for gravity discharge of merchandise from said aperture into said opening, said face underlying said chutes during said movement to retain said merchandise therein,

spring means urging opposite movement of said slide along said slideway effective on release of said moving means, said opposite movement of said slide moving said aperture to underlie one of said chutes, said chutes including vertical wall means positioned transverse said slideway, the said wall means of the chute most-remote from said opening extending downwardly below the level of the upper end of said flange, the lower edge of the remaining said wall means being spaced above said slide for the passage of said flange therethrough, said opposite movement of said slide moving said flange into contact with merchandise contained in a chute to stop said opposite movement and position said aperture below said merchandise containing chute.

2. Operating mechanism for a vending machine, which comprises: a plurality of vertically disposed chutes adapted to receive merchandise packages-and having open bottoms for gravity discharge of said merchandise packages therefrom, said chutes being positioned in alinement, a slideway longitudinally alined with said chute alinement spaced below said chutes and longitudinally extending oppositely beyond said chutes, a conveyor slide mounted on said slideway for sliding movement longitudinally of said slideway beneath said chutes, said conveyor slide having a merchandise supporting upper face and a merchandise receiving aperture, said conveyor slide having a vertical flange projecting upwardly from one end thereof, said aperture lying between said flange and said face, said slideway having a discharge opening therethrough positioned in the slideway extension adjacent said flange and aperture beyond said chutes, means for moving said slide longitudinally along said slideway to 'position said aperture over said discharge opening for gravity discharge of merchandisefrom said aperture into said opening, said face underlying said chutes during said movement to retain said merchandise therein, spring means, urging opposite movement of said moving means, effective on release of said moving means, resilient means coupling said moving means to said slide to effect opposite movement of said slide along'said slide- Way, responsive to opposite movement of the moving means, said oposite movement of said slide moving said aperture to underlie one of said chutes, said chutes including vertical wall means positioned transverse said slideway, the said wall means of the chute most remote from said opening extending downwardly below the level of the upper end of said flange, the lower edge of the remaining said wall means being spaced above said slide for the passage of said flange therethrough, said opposite movement of said slide moving said flange into contact with merchandise contained in a chute to stop said opposite movement and position said aperture below said merchandise containing chute, said resilient coupling means yieldingly holding said slide with said flange in movement limiting merchandise contact and urging further opposite movement of said slide.

3. Operating mechanism for a vending machine, which comprises: a plurality of vertically disposed chutes adapted to receive merchandise packages and having open bottoms for gravity discharge of said merchandise packages therefrom, said chutes being positioned in alinement, a slideway longitudinally alined with said chute alinement spaced below said chutes and longitudinally extending oppositely beyond said chutes, a conveyor slide mounted on said slideway for sliding movement longitudinally of said slideway beneath said chutes, said conveyor slide having a merchandise supporting upper face and a merchandise receiving aperture, said conveyor slide having a vertical flange projecting upwardly from one end thereof, said aperture lying adjacent said flange and between said flange and said face, said slideway having a discharge opening therethrough positioned in the slideway extension adjacent said flange and aperture beyond said chutes, means for moving said slide longitudinally along said slideway in one direction to position said aperture over said discharge opening for gravity discharge of merchandise from said aperture into said opening, said face underlying said chutes during said movement to retain said merchandise therein, spring means urging opposite movement of said slide along said slideway effective on release of said moving means, said opposite movement of said slide moving said aperture to underlie one of said chutes, said chutes including vertical wall means positioned transverse said slideway, the said wall means of the chute most remote from said opening extending downwardly .below the level of the upper end of said flange, the lower edge of the remaining said wall means being spaced above said slide for the passage of said flange therethrough, said opposite movement moving said flange toward abutment with said remote wall means, said abutment stopping said opposite movement of said slide.

4. In a vending machine, operating mechanism which includes va plurality of alined chutes adapted to receive merchandise and to deposit said merchandise by gravity, a conveyor slide longitudinally alined with said chutes and slidable along said alinement beneath said chutes, said slide having a merchandise receiving pocket and a merchandise supporting upper face adjacent one side of said pocket, a vertical flange extending upward from said slide adjacent the other side of said pocket, said chutes including chute wall means open to permit the passage of said flange therethrough, merchandise discharge means adjacent said flange and aperture, means for moving said slide longitudinally in one direction toward said discharge means to merchandise discharge, and means for effecting return longitudinal movement of said slide in the opposite direction, said discharge movement moving said iiange away from said chutes, said face underlying merchandise in said chutes and supporting said merchandise in said chutes during said movements of the slide, return movement of said slide moving said flange through said open wall means, said return movement-moving said flange toward abutment with chute-contained merchandise,

said abutment stop-ping return movement of said slide and positioning said pocket beneath the chute contained merchandise.

5. In a vending machine, operating mechanism which includes a plurality of alined chutes enclosed by wall means, adapted to receive merchandise and to deposit said merchandise by gravity, a conveyor slide longitudinally alined with said chutes and slidable along said alinement beneath said chutes, said slide having a merchandise receiving pocket and a merchandise supporting upper face adjacent one side of said pocket, a vertical ange extending upward from said slide adjacent the other side of said pocket, a portion of said chute wall means being open to permit the passage of said flange therethrough, means for moving said slide in one direction to merchandise discharge, discharge means spaced from said chutes in said one direction, and means for effecting return movement of said slide in the opposite direction, said discharge movement moving said ange away from said chutes, said face underlying said chutes and supporting the said merchandise in said chutes during said movements of the slide, return movement of said slide moving said pocket beneath chute-contained merchandise to receive deposit thereof, said ange being moved through said open chute wall means into contact with chute contained merchandise, said contact stopping return movement of said slide.

6. Operating mechanism for a vending machine which comprises a rear chute, and a front chute, said chutes being contiguous, vertically disposed, adapted to receive merchandise packages therein and having open bottoms for gravity .discharge of said merchandise packages therefrom; a horizontally disposed slideway positioned below and spaced from said open bottoms a distance suflicient to permit the passage of a said package of merchandise therebetween, said slideway extending forwardly and rearwardly ybeyond said chutes, and having a discharge opening therethrough positioned rearwardly of said chutes; a conveyor slide mounted on said slideway for. movement longitudinally thereof between said slideway and said chute bottoms, said slide having an aperture therethrough forming with said slidewaya pocket adapted to receive a said package of merchandise from a chute containing merchandise when positioned therebelow, said slide adjacent and forward of said aperture having an imperforate face closely underlying the open chute bottoms and adapted to support chute contained merchandise when positioned therebeneath; means for effecting rearward movement of said slide to move said aperture into register with said opening; means urging forward movement of said slide, and means limiting forward movement of said conveyor slide to position said pocket aperture for the reception of a merchandise package which comprise a vertical ange extending upward from said conveyor slide adjacent and rearward of said pocket aperture, and chute carried means disposed in the path of forward movement of said flange, the rear wall of said rear chute having an opening for the passage of said flange therethrough, forward movement of said conveyor slide moving said flange through said wall opening into movement stopping engagement with said chute carried means.

7. Operating mechanism for a vending machine which comprises a rear chute, and a front chute, said chutes being contiguous, vertically disposed, adapted to receive merchandise packages therein and having open bottoms for gravity discharge of said merchandise packages therefrom; a horizontally disposed slideway positioned below and spaced from said open bottoms a distance suicient to permit the passage of a said package of merchandise therebetween, said slideway extending forwardly and lrearwardly beyond said chutes, and having a discharge opening therethrough positioned rearwardly of said chutes; a conveyor slide mounted on said slideway for movement longitudinally thereof between said slideway and said chute bottoms, said slide having an aperture therethrough forming with said slideway a pocket adapted to receive a said package of merchandise from a chute containing merchandise when positioned therebelow, said slide adjacent and forward of said aperture having an imperforate face closely underlying the open chute bottoms and adapted to support chute contained merchandise when positioned therebeneath; means for eiecting rearward movement of said slide to move said aperture into register with said opening; spring means urging forward movement of said slide, and means limiting forward movement of said conveyor slide to position said pocket aperture for the reception of a merchandise package which comprise a vertical flange extending upward from said conveyor slide adjacent and rearward of said pocket aperture, the rear wall of said rear chute having an opening for the passage of said flange therethrough, forward movement of said conveyor slide moving said ilange through said wall opening into movement stopping engagement with merchandise in said chute, positioning said pocket aperture therebelow, merchandise in said front chute being supported by said face when said pocket aperture is below said rear chute, said pocket being moved beneath said front chute when said rear chute merchandise is exhausted.

HOMER G. WELLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,572,189 Crowley Feb. 9, 1926 1,766,298 Macke June 24, 1930 1,803,146 VRobbins Apr. 28, 1931 2,220,870 Nitschman Nov. 5, 1940 

